NOVEMBER EDITION 
"Ask the Leading Expert" john leader photo-1st choice        

Client Amazer - John

Hello, my name is John and I Am A Leader at Travel Leaders Corporate. I am a dedicated time manager, problem solver and

CLIENT AMAZER! With over 18 years experience, I identify, develop and coordinate efforts to ensure the company's business clientele receive an industry-leading level of support.

 

Joan from a leading West Coast Healthcare company asks: "What will happen with Airfares in 2013?"
 

John, Our Leading Expert says, "Good question Joan. Nearly all the global legacy airline carriers have greatly improved the ability to optimize yield by quickly reducing or eliminating under-performing services, and they have been diligent about launching new ones. Inventory control, for the most part, has been unprecedented, and the disciplined capacity management for U.S.-based carriers has resulted in several price increases in 2012.

Overall, in North America, domestic average ticket prices have increased nearly 6%. In 2013, Travel Leaders anticipates that overall demand will be greatest through most of
Latin America, and especially Brazil, which will drive-up the yield, as much as 7%. Demand for air travel will be lowest in the Eurozone, with average prices climbing only 2% on average. North America falls in between at 5% and Asia around 4%. Part of what will skew demand in all regions is the growing dominance of some Middle Eastern airlines. U.S. business travelers are reaching a ceiling of how much more they will spend for air travel. The International Air Transport Association forecasts that premium-class seats will be hit harder than economy class, which could result in travel policy changes for many firms to control costs."

 
Actual 2012: U.S. Airfare Price Increases: 4%
 Estimated 2013: U.S. Airfare Price Increases: 8%

 

Do you have a question you want to ask our Leading Experts? 

Send us your questions about your travel management program to strategicmarketing@travelleaders.com
Pre-Pay Carry-On Bags Prior to Flying Spirit ...
Spirit Airlines  
Effective November 6th, Spirit Airlines will charge $100 for fliers who pay for a carry-on bag at the boarding gate. That's a jump from $45 the airline is charging now at airport gates and means it could cost $200 round-trip to carry a bag on board. The $100 one-way fee for carry-on bags will drop to $50 if paid at Spirit's ticket counters or check-in kiosks. The fee drops more, to $35 each way, if reserved online before check-in, or to $40 if reserved through the airline's call center. Checking a bag at the airport is $45 each way.

Business Travelers Weigh Policy Nearly as Much as Cost

      survey says

     

A survey by Travel Leaders Group has found that company policy has as much weight as cost when business travelers consider flying options. "Despite the continued economic uncertainty, business travel bookings remain quite strong, and companies are adhering closely to their travel policies, which makes a huge difference in terms of the ability of business clients to control what they're spending," said Steven Loucks, chief communications officer at Travel Leaders.  

For full article, Click Here.

Travel Leaders Corporate is Taking Hurricane Sandy by Storm! 
 
Arrow people
Travel Leaders Corporate's Operations Team successfully reached out to travelers in  advance of Hurricane Sandy and kept the phone lines manned and email accounts monitored over the weekend during the disruptions and major airport closures caused by the weather event. Hundreds of clients were protected in days leading up to the storm and staff was increased to handle our spike in call volume over the weekend (three times the normal amount). 

  • Travel Leaders received on average 350 calls per day (Saturday and Sunday) versus a normal volume of between 100-150 calls per day.
  • Travel Leaders had additional staff on hand in anticipation of the high call volumes (16 additional resources).
  • Phone messaging was updated to inform corporate travelers that we are dealing with extremely high call volumes do to the Hurricane. We encouraged travelers with non-urgent travel needs to utilize their designated online booking tools where applicable or delay their travel arrangements until after the storm has passed.
  • In anticipation of the prolonged impacts of this storm, Travel Leaders' Operation Team will have additional staff available Monday through Saturday (Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2012).
Just to highlight one of the many great compliments received from our corporate clients...

"I want to report on the effort made by Berenice and the Travel Leaders team during this state of emergency with Hurricane Sandy. Travel Leaders was able to run a report on the affected travelers and reach out to notify them of flight cancellations and rebooking options. All travelers affected were captured and we knew the status of their flights and options."

Travel Leaders Agent, Berenice Milligan, is recognized by one of our top clients for the excellent service she provided during Hurricane Sandy.

Airlines Earn $36 Billion This Year in Ancillary Fees
 

According to a study by Amadeus IT Group, a corporation that processes transactions for the travel industry, and consulting firm IdeaWorks Company, 176 airlines will collect $36.1 billion in ancillary revenue in 2012 from fees to redeem frequent flier miles, baggage fees, meals/beverages, and more.
ancillary pie chart 
Click Here for more information.
 

Tzell Travel Group signs deal to merge with Protravel International, Inc.

 

 tzell protravel merger  

New York City's two premier travel companies are announcing that they're joining forces: Tzell Travel Group - a Travel Leaders Group company has signed an agreement to merge with Protravel International, Inc., pending government antitrust approval. The merged operations within Travel Leaders Group would represent combined annual sales volume of over $2.35 billion.

 

Travel Leaders Group CEO Barry Liben has indicated that once the deal closes, Tzell and Protravel would continue operating "as is" with no plans to change the successful models both companies have created. Under the terms of the agreement, Protravel founder Priscilla Alexander would continue serving as its President.  

 

To read full Press Release, Click Here.

 

Traveling Man Thrives in Digital Age 

   
Mike Batt, the head of hospitality firm Travel Leaders Group, explains why travel agents still matter

 

Travel agents are seen by some as remnants of the past in a digital age, but don't tell that to Mike Batt, the founder and chairman of Travel Leaders Group LLC.

 

Travel Leaders, the largest U.S. travel-agency operator by agents, caters to time-poor leisure travelers and companies looking to manage expenses but still willing to pay a premium over online booking options for personal advice and support.

 

Click here to read full article.

 

National Emerald Club
Take Emerald Club For A Spin!


Our biggest promotion of the year is here! As an Emerald Club member, you can earn a Free Rental Day with two qualifying rentals of two or more days. The promotion began on August 20, 2012 and will continue through January 31, 2013. The promotion allows registered Emerald Club members to earn a Free Day with the completion of every 2 qualifying rentals between August 20, 2012 and January 31, 2013.  A qualifying rental is one that is two or more consecutive days in a midsize or larger car, which occurs after the member registers for the promotion.  Please be sure that your travelers are aware that no rentals completed before they register for the promotion will be able to count towards Free Days. 
 

Earn a Free Rental Day after just two qualifying* rentals from National ! 
 

ONE

Register for

ONE TWO FREE�.
 

TWO

Earn a Free Rental Day with every

two qualifying rentals* between

August 20, 2012 and January 31, 2013.
 

FREE

Use your Free Rental Days anytime

through June 15, 2013.

Click Here To Register

 

Delta to Add Flat-Bed Seats on Transcontinental Flights

delta flat bed seats  
 

Delta recently announced plans to offer 26 "full flat-bed" business-class seats on Boeing 767 aircraft and 16 such seats on Boeing 757 aircraft operating between New York and Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.  New lie-flat seats will begin to be available in March 2013. Delta also has plans to include upgraded in-flight entertainment systems, new dining options and Wi-Fi in premium cabins
 

For full article, Click Here. 

 

Image Map